Romance and Misconceptions

Excerpt

David Bowman, CEO and founder of Bowman International, glanced at his watch as he hurried through the corridors of his office building. Today was the big day. His top marketing team would have their chance to land him the coveted aviation account. He had every confidence they would. Especially since he had his top marketing vice president, Melissa, giving the presentation.

He entered the room behind a slim blonde in a powder blue suit. Nice ass. I wonder who she is. Too bad he didn’t have the luxury to have a nice little fantasy about the way her long legs would feel wrapped around his waist.

What was he thinking? With ruthless intent, he wrestled his mind back to more important matters. He took his seat at the table and surveyed the room to make sure everyone was present.

Good, everyone seemed to be accounted for. But his sigh of relief cut short when he realized Melissa wasn’t with her team. “Where the hell is she?” David muttered under his breath. His hands on the armrests of the chair, he pushed to stand, and taking another sweep of the room, his gaze landed on the sexy blonde in the blue suit. God, it was Melissa Hansen, his vice president.

For a moment, David’s mind went blank, and then his thoughts started to race. Where was the conservative Ms. Hansen? His butt dropped back into the chair.

He didn’t know if he liked this new, sexy executive look. Usually her clothes were dark and shapeless. Her normally restrained hair hung loose and bouncy, the only terms he could think of to describe her golden strands.

What the hell is she thinking? With a multi-million dollar account at stake, this was not the day to try a new look.

Especially when that said look sent an entirely wrong message to every male mind in the room. Then he paused and lowered his brow. He raised a hand to his chin and pulled at his bottom lip with his thumb and forefinger as he thought. On the other hand, sex certainly could sell.

Didn’t matter. She could hardly change clothes now. The clock on the wall indicated now was the time to call the meeting to order. Standing, he walked to the front.

“Welcome, Mr. Jenkins we are honored Highland Aviation is considering Bowman International to do your ad campaign.”

A small bald man stood up and faced the room. “Thank you for inviting me. I can’t wait to see what you have to offer.” He stretched a hand toward David.

David waited until the man sat then he turned to Melissa, intending to introduce her. She met his gaze with a shy smile. Her long dark lashes fringed her blue eyes, and high cheekbones accented her oval chin. His mouth went dry, his knees turned to jelly, and his brain was plain mush.

His ever-efficient assistant Chelsea elbowed him in the ribs. He looked down at her in bewilderment. Her questioning expression reminded him where he was.

He swallowed and then cleared his throat. “I’ll be turning the time over to Ms. Hansen’s capable hands now.”

* * * *

Melissa rubbed her palms down the side of her skirt as she stood. Something was up with David. He looked at her in a way that made her toes curl and her nerve endings spark. She looked at Mr. Jenkins, smiled, and then addressed the room in general. Everyone except David Bowman he was making her more nervous than usual.

“Good afternoon. Today I’m going to make the sky come to you.” Melissa stood to the side of the podium with her laptop. She quickly tapped the keys to make her PowerPoint presentation blossom onto the screen. Jackie dimmed the lights on cue, and all eyes focused on the blue sky. Her words seemed to float out with the clouds, and she lost herself.

With a click, the last screen signaled the end and darkness settled over the room. Quiet reigned for a split second before the applause started and the lights flicked on. Melissa sought Mr. Jenkins out to gauge his reaction. He was clapping enthusiastically. She grinned and turned to David.

He stood and looked as ecstatic as she felt.

Oh, what the hell?

She winked.

* * * *

Melissa was brilliant. Her powder blue suit had blended perfectly, making the presentation personal and intimate, as if she were part of the show.

David stood to give his approval and noticed Mr. Jenkins enthusiastic response. At that point, he knew they’d won the account.

He turned his attention to Melissa. As if she felt his eyes on her, she turned and grinned. Then the most incredible thing happened.

She winked at him!

The effect started at his toes. Little shocks of electricity traveled through his body only to lodge somewhere in his heart.

Customers who purchased this book also bought: